Ministry of SMEs and Startups to host event Nov. 3-5, showcasing entrepreneurship education at 88 schools nationwide
Special lectures by Kwon Do-kyun and Son Joo-eun, plus a youth entrepreneur talk show; 50 awards for contributions and achievements
A gathering in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, will give young people from across the country a chance to share startup ideas they developed at school and the results of their entrepreneurship education. The program includes exhibits showcasing each school’s achievements, opportunities to hear from experienced entrepreneurs and activities connecting students from different regions.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups, led by Minister Lee So-young, said on Nov. 3 that the 2026 Youth BizCool Festival will be held for three days, through Nov. 5, in the exhibition hall on the first floor of Cheongju OSCO. More than 100 BizCool youth teams, entrepreneurship education support organizations and companies, elementary, middle and high school students, teachers, and members of the public are expected to take part.
BizCool combines the words “business” and “school” and means “learning about business at school.” Since 2002, the ministry has supported entrepreneurship education and mock startup experiences for young people.
This year’s event slogan is “Everyone’s Dreams in Motion!” The program is designed to connect schools, communities and businesses; help students explore career paths through the experiences of established entrepreneurs; and share the results of startup challenges.
The BizCool school pavilion, open throughout the event, will feature students’ ideas and educational achievements from 88 participating schools nationwide. Other exhibits include a promotional pavilion introducing the youth entrepreneurship policy “Startup for All” and an entrepreneurship textbook, as well as a corporate pavilion featuring innovative companies in fields such as aerospace and beauty.
An “Exciting Zone,” where visitors can try out emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), and a networking lounge for participants will also be open.
The opening ceremony, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the first day, will feature a student musical performance by the team that won last year’s “BizCool Showcase Grand Prize.” Awards will then be presented to those recognized for their contributions to youth entrepreneurship education and to winners of the final-round investor presentations at BizCool Camp, held as part of the “Startup for All Project.” A total of 50 awards are set to be presented, including 25 commendations and five certificates from the minister, and 16 commendations and four certificates from the head of the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development.
On Nov. 4, a networking program will give participating young people a chance to share startup ideas and experiences. On the event’s main stage, Kwon Do-kyun, CEO of Primer, and Son Joo-eun, chairman of Megastudy, will share their experiences and discuss entrepreneurship and career paths. A talk show featuring four young entrepreneurs will explore their startup experiences as teenagers, as well as failure and taking on challenges.
On the final day, Nov. 5, students will take the stage to showcase their talents and abilities at “BizCool Showcase,” followed by awards for the accompanying events.
“The Youth BizCool Festival is a celebratory gathering where young people—the innovators of the future—can connect their ideas across school and community boundaries, discover new possibilities and grow,” said Mok Seung-hwan, head of the ministry’s Startup and Venture Innovation Office. “We will continue to provide active support so young people can grow by imagining boldly and taking on challenges without fear of failure.”
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